'Idol:' Hair today, gone tomorrow?

So. Sanjaya. I had a feeling he'd come out confident this week, but alas, he channeled all of his newfound, barely-justified pride into his hair, and none of it into his singing. That fauxhawk was a risky, risky move, because it didn't appeal to his base of support: The tweens and pre-tweens might be weirded out (Ava was), and the grandmas could well be turned off.

Then again, this also could be the week we say goodbye to Haley (though her dress was appropriately short - again, speak to your base). Chris Sligh could be in trouble, too, since he's been so lackluster in recent weeks. And Chris R., in danger last time, didn't really distinguish himself tonight.

Gina? She's never been my favorite, but I actually think I liked her best tonight. I mean, except for Melinda, who was perfect again, blah blah blah. All in all, this show felt dull to me. And at the risk of sounding fuddy-duddy -- and I'm not that old -- I'll declare that '90s pop songs don't showcase the singers as well as those sweet '60s tunes. It's especially hard to reproduce No Doubt or the Police; Gwen and Sting sing so distinctively that any cover attempt sounds flat. Jordin might have done better with "I'm Just A Girl." Phil was karaoke, but at least he wore a hat. Blake was smooth, but The Cure is a little monotone for "Idol." And LaKisha made "Last Dance" sound heavy somehow, like it was an order instead of an invitation.

Biggest surprise of the night? Besides how remarkably coherent Paula seems to have become? I'd say it was Gwen Stefani. I'll admit, I haven't seen many interviews with her; I'm not an "Access Hollywood" junkie, and I missed the True Hollywood Story. I just know her from her voice and her music videos, so I expected to see someone sultry and haughty-cool, not a soft-spoken high-school-cheerleader type with a surprisingly nasal voice. Her advice on the songs, though, was generally spot-on. In particular, I loved the dismissive way she referred to Chris R.'s "vocal Olympics."

Come join me on an "Idol" chat tomorrow at 1 p.m. on Boston.com. White high-heeled pumps welcome, even though, you know, it's months from Memorial Day.